10 Famous Tourist Attractions in Thimphu

Thimphu Sightseeing

Source

Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan, a small nation in the Himalayas. Around 80,000 people live in this beautiful city, which is a stronghold of traditional Bhutanese art, architecture and culture. Thimphu covers an area of around 26 square kilometers. Located at an elevation of 2,320 meters, Thimphu the third highest capital in the world by altitude. Thimphu has a subbtropical highland climate.

How to Reach Thimphu?

Unlike other capital cities, Thimphu does not have an international airport. Paro Airport is the only international airport in Bhutan. It is around 54 kilometers from Thimphu. Thimphu does not have a railway station because Bhutan has no rail service. The city is well-connected by road.

Thimphu Hotels

5-Star Hotels	3-Star Hotels
Taj Tashi Hotel	Hotel Norbuling
Le Méridien Thimphu

Places to Visit in Thimphu

Here are major tourist attractions in Thimphu.

Buddha Dordenma Statue

This gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue (51 meters tall) is located on top of a hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park. It is made of bronze and is gilded in gold. The massive three-storey base houses a large chapel.

125,000 smaller Buddha statues have been placed within the Buddha Dordenma statue; 100,000 statues of which are 8-inches-tall and 25,000 statues of which are 12 inches tall.

Eachof these thousands of Buddhas have also been cast in bronze and gilded.

What Does Dordenma Mean?

Dochula Pass

This mountain pass in the snow covered Himalayas offers a beautiful 360 degree panoramic view of Himalayan mountain range.

Here you will find 108 chortens (stupas), which were built in memory of Bhutanese soldiers killed in the 2003 war against insurgents from India.

The best time to visit Dochula Pass is from September to February.

Dochula Pass Weather

Cold winds. Minimum 2°C and maximum 8°C. Weather generally remains foggy and chilly.

Wikimedia Commons | Source

Tashichho Dzong

Tashichho Dzong was built in 1216 CE by the first Dharma Raja, who also founded the Lho-drukpa sect of Buddhism. Lho-drukpa has remained the distinctive sect of Bhutan.

This Buddhist monastery and fortress houses the throne room and offices of the king, the cabinet secretariat and the ministries of home affairs and finance. It is also known as the "fortress of the glorious religion".

Tashichho Dzong Timings

Saturday and Sunday	9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Other days	9.00 am to 5.00 pm; 5.30 pm to 6.00 pm

Wikimedia Commons | Source

Memorial Chorten

Also known as Thimphu Chorten, this stupa is located in the southern-central part of the city. This Tibetan style chorten is crowned by a crescent moon and sun. It was built in memory of the third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.

Memorial Chorten Timings

9.00 am to 5.00 pm.

Clock Tower Square

This tower with four clock faces is a popular landmark in Thimphu. It is decorated with beautiful carvings and paintings. You will find many hotels and shops around this tower.

Lying at the eastern end of the Himalayas, the 'Kingdom of Bhutan' is the perfect abode if you are looking for peace and fresh air.

Bhutan Postal Museum

This museum is a philatelist's paradise. It has five galleries, which trace the development of the Bhutanese postal system, from the earliest mail runners to the nation's modern stamps.

Paro Taktsang

Dedicated to Padmasambhava (Second Buddha), this monastery is located in the cliffside of the upper Paro valley; it clings to a cliff, 3120 meters above the sea level. It is a prominent Himalayan Buddhist sacred site.

Changangkha Lhakhang

This traditional temple is one of the oldest
Lhakhang in Bhutan. It is perched
like a fortress on a ridge above central
Thimphu.

Takin Preserve, Motithang

This is a wildlife reserve area for takin, the national animal of Bhutan. The best time to view the takin up close is early morning, when they gather near the fence to feed.

National Library of Bhutan

Established in 1967, this library houses important scriptures, made of unbound pages stacked between wooden plates and wrapped in cloth.

Thimphu Currency

Bhutanese Ngultrum

Trivia

The Coronation of the first King of Bhutan was held on 17th December 1907. Since then the day is observed every year as the National Day of Bhutan in every dzongkhag.